I am very new to FileMaker so please be kind.

I have a field which has a drop down list of values. The values are from a field in another table. I am aware that I can have the list display additional values from a second field along side the first. i.e. an item number and description.

My goal is to display both values in the same field when one is picked. Unfortunately the second value disappears when a selection is made.

I am willing to have a second field look up the data based on the selection, but I am not sure how to do that.

My other problem is that I need to adding multiple items to the same record. Without creating a ton of potentially unused fields, how does one go about having a potentially unknown number of items in a single record?

My specific example if it help:

I am making a tracking system for an animation company. Each record on this table is a scene from an episode of the show. I need to add to the record the items needed for that scene such as the props or characters that will be used. Each of these items I am adding is from a list of assets in another table and each has a number and description.

It could just as easily be thought of as multiple products being added to an single invoice.

Is there a way I could have a button add a field and then have the user selects from that field's drop down list one of the assets from the other table? This is my ideal solution is I new how to make that happen.

Thanks for helping the newbie. It is very much appreciated.

I am willing to have a second field look up the data based on the selection, but I am not sure how to do that.

Just place the field (or fields) from the related table on the layout, and make them non-enterable.

I need to adding multiple items to the same record. Without creating a ton of potentially unused fields, how does one go about having a potentially unknown number of items in a single record?

...

It could just as easily be thought of as multiple products being added to an single invoice.

Exactly - and in an invoicing solution you'd use a third table for the invoice's line items. See a basic demo here:

http://fmforums.com/forum/showpost.php?post/309136/

Thanks!! That is exactly what I needed. It is so simple I feel ridiculous for not thinking to do it with a portal. It makes perfect sense.